The King's Courtesan by Judith James Read Free Book Online Page A

me, my dear. You know so little of men. No man likes the fel ow who stole the woman he’d marked as his. Doubtless he judges me an immoral libertine and a terrible danger to your sweet soul.”
    “Which you were.” She put down the letter. “You know it’s strange. When last we met he told me he had wanted to marry me when I was a girl, but I never had any idea. He doesn’t show his emotions. I thought at first he didn’t have any. He has always seemed so lacking in passion and so very correct.”
    Wil iam shrugged, and moved his attentions from her heel to her arch. “That’s true of many who’ve seen too much of war. People deal with it in different ways. It’s not a thing one tends to share in conversation. ‘Pass the biscuits, a lump of sugar if you please, oh, and did I ever tel you about the poor bastard who had his legs blown off as he stood beside me?’ It’s no surprise some develop the habit of silence.”
    “Did that happen to you?”
    “Obviously not,” he said with a grin. “I am the type for whom little things take more meaning when larger ones disappoint. A fine wine, a lovely painting, a heated kiss replace glory, honor and duty. Perhaps for your Robert, it is the reverse.”
    She wanted to ask him about the lust and cruelty she’d seen in the eyes of some soldiers. Whether that was a thing men took with them into battle, or something they brought from it, but he had let loose her feet and was bent over a side table, penning a response to the king. She opened Robert’s letter and began to read.
    My dearest Elizabeth,
    How kind of you to write and share your happy news. I can scarcely credit that any woman managed to bring de Veres to heel. It is an act of superb generalship worthy of your father and congratulations are due. I am delighted for you, my dear, so long as he treats you well. It is kind of you to offer to visit. I, too, value our friendship, but I very much regret it is not possible at this time. It seems the king has found a higher purpose for Cressly, and thus I must find one for myself. I will be gone from it by the end of next month.
    Her gasp of outrage made Wil iam looked up from his writing. “Elizabeth? What does he write?” She raised a hand for him to wait as she finished.
    I am been better suited to soldiering than farming, I suspect, so it should prove no great hardship. It may be that I shall rent a suitable house in town. Once I am settled I will of course look forward to your visit.
    Your servant, Captain Robert Nichols
    “Oh, Wil iam, how could he? He is taking Robert’s lands!” Wil iam shrugged. “These things happen. He is a lesser gentleman who was on the wrong side of the war. It costs Charles nothing to displace him. There must be someone he needs to please and your friend’s lands are the most convenient way to do so.”

    “Wel , I have changed my mind. We must go to London now. Captain Nichols rescued me from Cromwel ’s soldiers, Wil . It was he who intervened the day after you left. He spoke for me when I was judged and facing transportation or worse, and he helped me get settled in London. Perhaps if I speak with Charles I can change his mind. I must at least try. I owe him so much.” THEIR ARRIVAL AT COURT a week later was greeted with a great deal of excitement and as they made their way through the great hal to the privy chamber, the crowded room became a sea of craning necks. The court had been a dul er place since the scandalous earl had left it. People stil whispered and chuck led about his farewel gift to the king. They were shocked at the rumors he had married his mistress, except for the Duke of Monmouth, who’d made a fortune wagering on it and stil maintained that Elizabeth Walters had been the earl’s childhood friend.
    “They look at me as if I was a tame bear,” Wil iam growled to Elizabeth. He reached for her and pul ed her close. “Why are we here again? Ah, yes. We must arrange another meeting for you with our gracious